UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

These three categories differentiate networks by geographic span. A LAN links nearby devices, a MAN connects multiple LANs in a city and a WAN joins networks over very large distances. Understanding their scale helps in network planning and infrastructure decisions in institutions. This option is consistent with standard ICT terminology.

Option A:
This option accurately reflects common textbook definitions and is widely used in exam questions. It helps learners see that each higher level usually aggregates multiple smaller networks, moving from local to global.

Option B:
Claiming that a LAN covers continents and a MAN is limited to a room reverses the accepted meanings. It leads to confusion about appropriate technologies and design choices.

Option C:
Limiting each network type to specific device categories, such as satellites or mobile phones, is misleading. All three network types can involve different devices depending on context.

Option D:
Saying that all three terms mean the same thing ignores an important conceptual distinction in networking. It suggests there is no difference in design or usage, which is inaccurate.

A Local Area Network interconnects computers and other devices within a relatively small physical area, typically using high speed links. Organisations use LANs to share resources such as printers, files and internet connections. The limited scope allows for easier management and lower latency. Therefore, the network described in the question is a LAN.

Option A:
Option A, MAN, or Metropolitan Area Network, spans a city or large campus and covers a wider geographic area than that mentioned in the stem.

Option B:
Option B, WAN, or Wide Area Network, extends over large regions or countries and connects multiple LANs, which goes beyond the constraints of a single building or campus.

Option C:
Option C, PAN, or Personal Area Network, is focused on very short range communication around an individual, such as connections between a phone and a headset.

Option D:
Option D is correct because LAN is the standard term used in ICT to refer to networks confined to small areas like offices, schools or laboratories.

A local area network is designed to cover a relatively small physical area like a lab, building or campus using high speed communication links. It enables sharing of resources such as printers and files among connected devices. In ICT classifications, LANs are contrasted with wider networks like WANs and MANs based on coverage area. Therefore, the appropriate term for the blank is local area network.

Option A:
Option A is correct because the description of a limited geographical area directly matches the standard definition of a local area network in networking textbooks and UGC NET syllabi. LANs are the primary example used for networks within institutions.

Option B:
Option B, wide area network, covers large geographical regions such as countries or continents and uses long distance links, so it is broader than the scenario described.

Option C:
Option C, metropolitan network, or MAN, usually spans a city and is thus larger in scale than a single campus or building. It does not fit the limited area mentioned in the question.

Option D:
Option D, personal hotspot, refers to a feature of a device that shares its internet connection and is not itself a full class of network covering an entire building or campus.

A Local Area Network is designed to cover a limited geographical area such as a room, building or small campus. It provides high-speed connectivity among computers and devices within that confined space. LANs are common in schools, colleges, offices and laboratories for resource sharing. Therefore, this option accurately identifies the network type with a small physical scope.

Option A:
A Metropolitan Area Network covers a city or a large campus spread over tens of kilometres. It is much larger in scope than a single building. Because of this wider coverage, MAN does not best represent the small-area network described in the question.

Option B:
A Wide Area Network spans very large geographical areas, sometimes across countries or continents. The Internet itself is an example of a WAN. Since the question emphasises a single building or small campus, WAN is far beyond the required scope.

Option C:
A Virtual Private Network is a secure tunnel created over existing networks such as the Internet. It describes a method of secure communication rather than the physical size of the network. Hence, it does not directly answer the question about geographical coverage.

Option D:

Statements A, B and C correctly describe typical campus network infrastructure, whereas statement D is false. LANs connect devices within limited areas, often using both wired and wireless links; WANs span larger distances between locations; and switches interconnect devices inside a LAN. Saying that LANs use only wireless technology ignores widespread use of Ethernet cables. Hence the correct combination is A, B and C only.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because it lists only A and B as correct and omits C. While LAN and WAN descriptions are accurate, switches are also fundamental to LAN design, so excluding C makes the answer incomplete.

Option B:
Option B is incorrect because it includes A, B and D as correct statements and thus accepts D. Since LANs in practice can be wired, wireless or mixed, D does not hold and cannot be part of the correct set.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect because it groups B and C only and leaves out A. A provides the basic definition of a LAN and must be included to present a full picture of campus networking.

Option D:
Option D is correct because it brings together A, B and C, which together portray how campus networks are structured, while rejecting D, which misrepresents available technologies.